In your place I would not dismiss other English translations because often different attempts at translation offer different perspectives, as well as sometimes some elucidating footnotes. Often academic people got their first inspiration to work on a type of literature from a personal exposure of some kind, like meeting someone who had a deeper understanding of the said texts. At any rate, nothing to lose, but perhaps something to gain for you.

In Delhi I would check out the Piccadilly Book Stall, because the owner has often unusual texts on obscure subjects somewhere hidden away. Also the Kolkata Book Fair can be an accidential source. Good luck. Probably there would be University libraries to check as well, but others may know more about this.

Edward C. Dimock's The Place of the Hidden Moon; Erotic Mysticism in the Vaishnava-sahajiya Cult of Bengal Delhi, Motilal Banarsidass 1991, has as a way of introduction of the term sahajiya and also passim a number of explanations of carya padas.

Else look for Sukumar Sen's edition and introduction in his Caryagiti padavali. The doctrine behind the songs is discussed in English in S.B. Dasgupta's Obscure Religious Cults as a Background to Bengali Literature, Calcutta 1946, pages 39-57.

i just saw this - i've been trying to read up on the caryagitis myself...if you're looking for work on the buddhist caryagitis, perkvaerne's work is supposed to be good though i haven't been able to get hold of it in bookshops in bombay..i alos recall reading some ancient stuff by benoytosh bhattacharya on vajrayana which may give you some background..

Originally Posted by gachchamii just saw this - i've been trying to read up on the caryagitis myself...if you're looking for work on the buddhist caryagitis, perkvaerne's work is supposed to be good though i haven't been able to get hold of it in bookshops in bombay..i alos recall reading some ancient stuff by benoytosh bhattacharya on vajrayana which may give you some background..

As Benoytosh Bhattacharyya wrote standard works on Tantra, you should be able to find his publications, if in print, in Delhi at Picadilly Book Stall at Shankar Market, C.P. If not in print, at any well stocked university library.

Many thanks ! Seems you are a like minded person, interested in Tantra.......

Can you recommend some other books (apart from this list) also...

Quote:

Originally Posted by atalaAs Benoytosh Bhattacharyya wrote standard works on Tantra, you should be able to find his publications, if in print, in Delhi at Picadilly Book Stall at Shankar Market, C.P. If not in print, at any well stocked university library.His titles:http://www.tantraworks.com/BiblioInternet.htmlI have actually met his son, at Shastri Villa in Naihati, W.B. B. B. must have been a very interesting person, a savant.

You may also try checking in the National Library near the Alipore Zoo if you are in Calcutta. If you can convince the Chief Librarian, he or she may allow you to go down into the stacks in the basement, under escort of course! That National Library is a treasure house. I have found many an obscure book therein!

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